^ I think it's because IKEA considers their outlets part store, part amusement park and they are dependent on the excitement caused by big crowds.

The amusement IKEA style is like the McTavish Interchange.

People complain about how awkward it is but once you've done it a few times you're an expert.

If you know the layout you just deak through the shortcuts, and if you know what your looking for you go in the back door to the warehouse and grab it off the shelf, and then spend an hour trying to find your car.

The island as a whole has a population of 800k I would think Duncan would be a better location but could see it in Langford too. There was a time that Nanaimo got stores first due to location but I think that ended about a decade ago.

With today's announcement, the Victoria census metropolitan area is the only of the 16 largest CMAs in Canada without an annouced full-sized store or pick-up point. The top 16 is the cut off for CMAs with a population north of 300,000, although you would likely see an IKEA dropped into Saskatchewan (both Regina and Saskatoon have CMAs sub 300k). It's clearly inevitable at this point, especially with Ikea's goal to double their full sized store count by 2026.

Halifax is the first named of the anticipated 12 expansion full-sized stores by 2026. Your best guess as to where the other 11 might fit in to this picture, but I would be shocked after today's announcement if the Island isn't on that list.

IKEA came to Halifax when I was living there late 70s. It was in an industrial park in Dartmouth, a little like the westshore except you had to cross a bridge. We bought stuff but not enough to keep IKEA there and they pulled out after about 5 years.
Halifax and Victoria have quite a few similarities. Metro population about 350K, prov leg downtown, naval presence, central core on a peninsula, Northwest Arm= the Gorge, significant tourism and tech sectors.
Both are very liveable but Victoria's weather is much better.